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Author
Topic: What works BEST for you? (Read 3886 times)

I have ALWAYS had horrid anxiety and am prone to panic attacks. I also have been on a benzo of some sort since 2000 as needed and the last 4 1/2 years been taking Valium 10Mg x 3 a day. My new pdoc just switched me to Klonopin which I have been on in the past and seems to work best for me. I was finally diagnosed as Bipolar after years of the SSRI marry go round which helped with depression but made me manic at times and increased my anxiety level.

Now I have been taking Seroquel XR for the last moth. To get to the point, I was wondering if anyone has been on this or these types of meds. I was thinking about maybe switching to Abilify after doing some reading as it is not so sedating and the Seroquel has made me eat like a pig. I know there are a bunch of these meds plus mood stabilizers and was wondering what others experiences has been with these meds. I go back to my pdoc Tuesday. Thanks and hope everyone is having a great weekend. R

Marijuana helps with my social anxiety and panic attacks. Doesn't work for everyone but it does for me.

Pot makes panic and anxiety much worse for me. Must be a chemical make up of the brain.

Cognitive behavioral therapy can help with anxiety and panic. For instance, you say you take Klonopin. Sometimes people will put the pill in their pocket, and just knowing the pill is there if the anxiety gets bad makes a difference.

I have terrible panic attacks, to where I'll almost need to pull over sometimes when driving. But, I talk myself through the panic. I used to get panic horribly, and one time actually passed out in a supermarket while writing out a check. But, I've done the benzo game, and it just got me strung out, so I don't do that. I'm not saying you're that way, nor that you should stop the Klonopin, that's between you and your doctor. But I do sympathize.

About the bipolar, that's kind of a hit and miss thing. Just like depression. Unfortunately, there's no one test that tells what med will work, and what won't. It's just something you kind of have to experiment with until you find your match. If you think Abilify may work better, talk to your doctor. Certainly can't hurt to try.

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I've never killed anyone, but I frequently get satisfaction reading the obituary notices.-Clarence Darrow

Marijuana works Ok for me but due to probation that has not been an option

Yes carrying around a Klonopin or some type of benzo as a "Break in case of emergency" option does help a lot and half the time I end up not taking it. Unfortunately I can't go w/o taking Kpin or whatever benzo I am on because if I don't I go through w/d :/ They help, but yes they sure do have their downside.

I've always been prone to generalized anxiety (see my other post in this forum), for which I've been prescribed various SSRI's. I've found that I have a very low tolerance for that type of a medication and so I've been living with the untreated anxiety on several levels.

I've seen a return in panic attacks since my HIV+ diagnosis. I requested Klonopin (Xanax makes me toooooooo sleepy), which works for me, but I'm finding that doctors are VERY reluctant to prescribe benzos, especially if you initiate the request. They seem to think it's some illicit drug seeking behavior.

I'm not sure what I'll do when I've gone through my current bottle. I've been looking at other non-habit forming medication like Vistaril (Hydroxyzine) or Buspar (Buspirone).

My switching to Atripla would be strictly a financial decision. Are you saying Sustiva is contraindicated in patients with GAD?

I can't be absolutely certain but generally with anyone who has prior anxiety or depression Sustiva is a no no as it tends to aggravate the existing issue(s). I started Atripla and had no issues for a while, but now I too have a low level constant anxiety which sometimes builds to full blown panic attacks. This is why I will be changing regimens. Have you put a lot of research into treatment options? There are a lot of them with various pros and cons to each.

My switching to Atripla would be strictly a financial decision. Are you saying Sustiva is contraindicated in patients with GAD?

I wouldn't touch Sustiva with your dick a ten foot pole. I'm prone to depression/anxiety with meds that have that potential side-effect. I was suicidal when I took the anti-smoking med Champix and believe me, I'm not normally anywhere near suicidal. Going on Sustiva with a pre-existing problem like GAD would most likely be a recipe for disaster. There are plenty of other meds you can take, so why risk it?

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts